Orting, Washington

Orting
City
City of Orting

Location of Orting, Washington
Coordinates: 47°5′46″N 122°12′19″W / 47.09611°N 122.20528°W / 47.09611; -122.20528Coordinates: 47°5′46″N 122°12′19″W / 47.09611°N 122.20528°W / 47.09611; -122.20528
Country United States
State Washington
County Pierce
Government
 • Type Mayor/Council (Strong Mayor)[1]
 • Mayor Joachim Pestinger[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 2.80 sq mi (7.25 km2)
 • Land 2.73 sq mi (7.07 km2)
 • Water 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation 190 ft (58 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 6,746
 • Estimate (2015)[4] 7,446
 • Density 2,471.1/sq mi (954.1/km2)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 98360
Area code(s) 360/564
FIPS code 53-52005
GNIS feature ID 1512539[5]
Website www.cityoforting.org

Orting is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population as of the 2010 census is 6,746, according to the City of Orting.

History

Orting is a very small city located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Mount Rainier. The first ever recorded claims for the land in Orting were made in 1854 by William Henry Whitesell (also the first postmaster), Thomas Headley, Daniel Lane and Daniel Varner. These 4 people all have streets in the city named after them, plus a monument in the Orting City Park commemorating them. The city was officially incorporated on April 22, 1889. Early growth came as the area developed fields to grow hops, produce, and logging industries. Later Christmas tree and bulb farms became important to the local economy. Orting was also a supply town for the coal mining towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado. The first railroad in the city was built in 1877 by the Northern Pacific Railway. It was called "Whitesell's Crossing" because the railroad ran right through the Whitesell property. Population rose quickly after this railroad was built, as it made transportation in and out of the city much easier. What's left of the railroad is now the Meeker Southern Railroad which runs between Puyallup and McMillin.

Geography

Orting is located at 47°5′46″N 122°12′19″W / 47.09611°N 122.20528°W / 47.09611; -122.20528 (47.096071, -122.205401).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.80 square miles (7.25 km2), of which, 2.73 square miles (7.07 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890623—
190072816.9%
19107999.8%
192097221.7%
19301,10914.1%
19401,2119.2%
19501,2997.3%
19601,52017.0%
19701,6438.1%
19801,7878.8%
19902,10617.9%
20003,76078.5%
20106,74679.4%
Est. 20157,446[7]10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
2015 Estimate[4]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 6,746 people, 2,184 households, and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,471.1 inhabitants per square mile (954.1/km2). There were 2,361 housing units at an average density of 864.8 per square mile (333.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.9% White, 1.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2% of the population.

There were 2,184 households of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.7% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.34.

The median age in the city was 32.7 years. 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.8% were from 25 to 44; 19.5% were from 45 to 64; and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census

The median income for a household in the city was $53,464, and the median income for a family was $55,335. Males had a median income of $41,486 versus $26,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,951. About 4.2% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 15.8% of those 65 and older.

Salmon fishing

Orting is nestled between the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers. The Voights Creek Hatchery is located just outside Orting and plays a large part in the healthy runs of salmon that bring fishermen from far and wide to enjoy the challenge of landing a big salmon.

Washington State Soldiers Home

Orting is home to the beautiful historic buildings and park like grounds that facilitate all levels of care and housing for soldiers. The soldiers cemetery, on the hill just above the Soldiers Home, having an abundance of Historical knowledge. Gravestones for soldiers dating back to service in the Civil War. The Soldiers Home is located on the Orting Kapowsin Hwy and can be reached by leaving Orting on Calistoga and heading toward Graham where it can be found at the base of the hill.

City parks and murals

Orting is known for its beautiful parks filled with huge shade trees making places for picnics and relaxing right in the center of the historic downtown area. Visitors will enjoy the Orting Valley Farmer's Market in the North Park, Fridays from 3pm-7pm, during the summer months.[9] A walking tour map is available at the library on the corner of Train and Washington. The map shows the route to the historic murals scattered on buildings throughout the town. Throughout town there are views of Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Daffodil Parade

Every year, Orting is the fourth and final stop in the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. The parade has gone through downtown Orting since 1934. It draws over 10,000 people in early April to the festivities in the downtown Orting Parks and the parade viewing in late afternoon. The parade also goes through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, and Sumner. Orting school band also plays.

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier as seen from the High Cedars Golf Course in Orting, bordering the Puyallup River

The town sits in a fertile valley between two major rivers, the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers, and it is built entirely on several layers of lahar deposits. Based on past lahar flow and the structure of Mount Rainier, Orting has been designated the most at-risk town in the event of lahar activity from the mountain. Scientists predict that lahars could reach Orting in as little as 30 minutes from origin. Authorities have installed a system of lahar sirens throughout the area, activated by sensors on Mt. Rainier. The local schools regularly stage lahar evacuation drills, and residents have been informed as to lahar escape routes. Local citizens are progressing toward designing the Bridge for Kids, a walking bridge across the Carbon River that could be used for recreation and rapid evacuation up the hill toward Cascadia, Washington.[10]

Public safety

Orting Police handles law enforcement within the city limits. Orting Police is located at the Public Safety Building, 401 Washington Ave SE, Orting.[1] Orting Valley Fire & Rescue[11] handles all fire and medical aid service needs within the city and the surrounding unincorporated area. Station 40 located at 401 Washington Ave SE, Orting is staffed 24 hours a day. The city is also served from 2 other stations, Station 42 located on Patterson Rd and Station 43 located on 150th Ave E, just off Orting-Kapowsin Hwy E on Cemetery Hill.

Education

Education in the city of Orting is provided by the Orting School District. There are currently 4 schools in operation.

Transportation

The primary way of reaching the city is by car via Washington State Route 162.

Foothills Trail

The Foothills Trail is a paved trail built on the old railroad bed. It runs through Orting, to South Prairie in one direction and to Sumner in the other. Its primary function is recreation, however it is also utilized by many commuters on bicycles. The trail is for walking, bicycling, horseback riding, skating and skateboarding and scooter traffic. It is set aside for nonmotorized vehicles only.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "City of Orting - City of Orting".
  2. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  3. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  4. 1 2 "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Orting Valley Farmers Market - Facebook".
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ "Orting Valley Fire & Rescue".
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